Managing personal wellbeing and achieving academic outcomes

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I extend a warm welcome back to school to all families. 

This is always a busy term. At the centre of all activity is the tension between managing personal wellbeing and achieving the desired academic outcomes.

Students press to achieve and also feel the pressure of expectations. These pressures are a mix of the real and the imagined, and are both self-imposed and communicated by others.

I request that all parents and carers commit to partnering with us in two things:

  • Communicate any challenges you notice in wellbeing very early to a specific teacher or the Head of Year.

  • Monitor how you communicate your expectations. Children are well aware of the expectations that you have. Parents often voice, “It doesn’t matter what your results are, we love you. Just do your best.” Students are able to hear multiple messages in this, and they are already well aware of your hopes and ambitions for them.

If you have students in Year 11 and 12, may I suggest the following:

  • Take your child out for a nice afternoon tea.

  • Ask them to explain what their goals are for the end of the year, and the study routine that they could like to follow.

  • Ask how you can assist them in their study routine. Ideally, identify the priority times for study and then you can avoid adding unnecessary events to their social calendar that may create pressure.

These steps are also very valuable for students of other years.

I encourage everyone to re-read my newsletter of September 24, when I declared this term the ‘Zero Talent Zone’. I noted 10 things that require zero talent:

  1. Being on time

  2. Work ethic

  3. Effort

  4. Energy

  5. Body Language

  6. Passion

  7. Doing extra

  8. Being prepared

  9. Being coachable

  10. Attitude

These are great points to affirm in positive and supportive conversations.  I spent time in Assembly this week reaffirming the value of these 10 things and how they contribute to developing an enviable attitude.

I also took the opportunity to affirm the importance of every member of our community accepting responsibility for stewarding the wellbeing of others. It is regularly the case that friends and parents become aware of wellbeing challenges before the teaching staff. Please share concerns early so all may receive excellent care.

Iain Belôt – Principal